Need an answer...

[KillerBug]

Ok, I am getting a motherboard in the mail by the end of the week, it supports CPUs up to 200mhz, not MMX, does this mean an MMX CPU will not even boot, or does it mean that MMX is simply disabled? I am asking ebecause I cannot find a cheap P 200mhz, but the 200 MMX chips are like $30

[DavidX]

In the UK you can buy a used MMX-capable Socket 7 motherboard for around £10-15 if you look around. I'm sure you must be able to get them at the equivalent price in $s (or even cheaper) in the USA.

An MMX CPU requires dual voltage; a non-MMX CPU requires only single voltage. An MMX CPU will therefore not work on a motherboard which can supply only single voltage. (I believe the IDT WinChip with MMX is single voltage, but I wouldn't recommend it as a good CPU.)

[This message has been edited by DavidX (edited 06-26-99).]

[MR COMPUTER]

DavidX - You are right.The Idt Winchip is not a good cpu - Its a great cpu! For $25.00 US,you get a 200mmx cpu,that works on older boards as well as new boards.This poor miserable cpu does exactly what its suppose to do! Operates at a variety of voltages,tolerates a lot more heat than other cpus',and provides good service day after day without problem. I have used 28 Winchips in systems for schools and businesses,without any failures.How many have you used?

[KillerBug]

No upgrades on this, just a file/internet server for the house. 200 is realy way above what I actual need, but why not? I realy only need like a 133, but at these prices, 200 is great. Also, I am looking at a cyrex, I know that they are ****, but It would be ideal for me becuase they run faster than the actual MHZ, I figure I might as well max out the board now. So the winchip is the way to go? Where do I get one? Also, where is the best source for SIMM memory, I need duel 16s.

[CMonster]

Most likely it does not support the required core voltage for an MMX CPU.

Better to beg, borrow, or earn a little more money and buy a more up to date setup -- you will not recoop the money you are about to spend and you will be upgrading again inside of a year.

[Eli]

I think I saw an adaptor on pricewatch that lets an MMX processor operate on a non-MMX board (socket 5 and socket 7), but it'd probably be cheaper overall to just pay a little extra for the non-MMX processor than the MMX processor and the adaptor.

[MR COMPUTER]

Your evaluation of Cyrix is basically correct. Except,A 200mmx Cyrix is actually clocked as a 150 or a 166.It is a performance rated cpu. You can get a good deal on Winchips and memory at

www.pricewatch.com (http://www.pricewatch.com)

[CMonster]

MR. COMPUTER,

yep, yep, yep! Now if IDT would just come out with those 600mhz version Winchip2 3D chips...

so few transistors, so much processiong power - who would have thought that less could be more.

[DavidX]

MrComputer
Well I have to admit that I have never used an IDT WinChip myself (seriously considered it once but never took the plunge). Just going by what others have said. Looks like they were wrong. If both you and CMonster swear by the WinChips, then they must be better than I was led to believe.

[800XL]

I was fairly impressed by the Winchip 2A. Running at 233 with a VooDoo2 12 meg it even managed respectable fps in Quake 2. Not exactly a screamer, but it matched an Intel 233MMX with 3DNow disabled, and beat it by a fair margin when the 3DNow is turned on. If they can pull off a die shrink and get that thing down to .25 micron it just might ramp up there in the Mhz enough to keep them in a game a while longer. That 3.3 volt core holds them down a bit, but for dropping in an old board, it is an asset.

[DavidX]

Mr Computer

I have just visited the HOST Club discussion forum and noted your offensive comment in the WinChip post. I wonder if there is really any need to go quite so ballistic?

Although I have not personally used a WinChip, my comment on it was not without foundation. I based my comment on at least two magazine reviews and those reviews were written by people who I naturally assumed were well qualified to give an opinion.

Nevertheless, I also have the greatest respect for the opinions of some of the people in this forum and if they express an opposite view to those I have read in magazines, then I am more than willing to give their opinions at least equal, if not greater, weight than those of the magazine reviewers. Especially if, as in this case, the reviews were published some time ago and the people in this forum have had first-hand experience which directly contradicts those reviews. I have no problem with revising my own impression accordingly and admitting a mistake (see my post above).

May I remind you that this is a 'Discussion Forum'; i.e. it exists for the purpose of intelligent discussion and a friendly exchange of ideas and experiences, hopefully with the aim of helping each other? And SysOpt is one of the best. If you find it impossible to take part in a discussion without resorting to unwarranted personal abuse and offensiveness, either here or in a reference to it on another BBS, then perhaps you would be happier in one of those other forums where flaming is seen as normal behavior. Or learn to control your remarks.

DavidX

[This message has been edited by DavidX (edited 06-27-99).]

[MR COMPUTER]

DavidX - If you took offense to my topic,I'm sorry.You made no reference previously,as to what you based your evaluation of the Winchip on. I get a little steamed,when I see people downgrade products with apparently no basis of fact.We owe a lot to the few companies that jump in and challenge the Big Names,with a good product.I will temper my remarks in the future.
MrC.

[This message has been edited by MR COMPUTER (edited 06-27-99).]

[DavidX]

Mr Computer
Your apology is gladly accepted. I too get steamed when I see someone criticise a product without the slightest idea of what they're talking about. Which is why I try to make it a point to comment on something only when I have at least some foundation for what I am saying. Otherwise, I don't comment at all. But I am the first to admit that there is no substitute for personal experience - the best foundation of all.

I have used both Cyrix and AMD chips in PCs I have built for others and, as an AMD user myself, I totally agree that it is good to see competition for the 'Big Names'. Whether we ourselves actually buy the competing product or not, it still benefits all of us in forcing the 'Big Names' to abandon their complacency and in causing price reductions all round. As you said, we owe such companies a lot.
DavidX

[This message has been edited by DavidX (edited 06-27-99).]

[CMonster]

no sweat, if only IDT they could get the mhz up there...

[DavidX]

Unfortunately, I did hear a rumor that IDT are making a loss on the WinChip. Hope they manage to keep going. If they fail, it'll be yet another smug grin on Intel's face http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif